Toshin Electric Co Ltd released the "Bikei," an LED tube lamp that fits into a socket of 40W straight tube fluorescent lamp.

Aluminum radiator fins were formed on part of the tube to increase its heat radiation efficiency. Also, the company downsized the substrate on which LEDs are mounted and minimized the shadow made by the substrate so that light reaches farther.

The luminance is 370lx (with the model equipped with a transparent cover) at 1m below the lamp. This luminance is "equivalent to that of a 40W straight tube fluorescent lamp," Toshin Electric said. The company expects the lamp to be used as lighting for tunnels, parking lots, subways, factories, stores and streets, for example.

The lamp uses a total of 120 blue LED chips manufactured in Japan. White light is generated by combining units consisting of three blue LED chips with red and green fluorescent materials. As a result, its average color rendering index (Ra) is as high as 92. General fluorescent lamp-type LED tube lamps have an Ra of about 70, while the Ra of normal fluorescent lamps is about 84 to 88, according to Toshin Electric.

Because the LED tube lamp is designed to use a socket for fluorescent tubes, it can replace a fluorescent lamp without changing or removing the socket. It supports both glow-starter and rapid-start methods. Its power consumption varies from 20 to 24W depending on what lighting device it is used with. Its rated life is 40,000 hours, which is "about five times the life of general fluorescent lamps," the company said.

The lamp uses polycarbonate for its tube cover, which is available in translucent white and transparent colors. The weight is 500g. The suggested retail price is